Sonny Greenwich/Ed Bickert: Days Gone By

Although he has never received much recognition, Sonny Greenwich has achieved something rarer and more important, an unmistakably personal voice in jazz. Greenwich’s fame as a guitarist has mostly been confined to Canada, though his playing on Hank Mobley’s Third Season shows how well he could hold his own with masters of the prevailing hard-bop/modal style in the ’60s. Mobley’s record wasn’t released until the ’80s, unfortunately, by which time the discouraged Greenwich was on-and-off the scene.

Ed Bickert is another fine Canadian guitarist, whose excellent mainstream work has been heard on many sessions for the Concord label in recent years.

Greenwich and Bickert teamed up for Days Gone By, which was recorded in 1979 with the excellent and long-standing rhythm team of Don Thompson and Terry Clarke. But, typical of Greenwich’s luck, the session had remained unissued until now (probably owing to a few unimportant technical glitches).

The contrasting styles of the two principals and the big ears of the drummer and bassist help to make this one of the most enjoyable two-guitar records I know of. Days Gone By is strongly recommended, especially for the rare chance to hear Greenwich stretch out in a relaxed setting.

Originally Published December 1, 2000